Book babies. At the Seattle Children’s Book and Fun Fair, you can have a blast with the kids for a good cause — it’s a benefit by the Trilogy Guild for uncompensated care (and new books for patients) at Seattle Children’s. Recess Monkey rocks the house at 1 p.m., and there’s tons more: fire truck tours, a clown, jugglers, the sweet dogs from Reading with Rover, and a guy who does amazing tricks with his yo-yo. Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at Trilogy Cascade Clubhouse, 23225 N.E. Greens Crossing Road, Redmond.
Mother, maze I? The corn is growing tall, and that means only one thing: corn mazes! Farmers cut their corn fields into elaborate shapes, and you can saunter behind the kids as they run from one dead end to another. If you’ve never done it before, make this your year — it’s great fun (but bring hats, water and sunscreen if it’s hot out). The South 47 Farm’s maze opens the weekend of Sept. 12. Take a hayride, say “hey” to the farm animals, enjoy refreshments and buy farm-fresh produce. Admission to the Corn Maze Opening Celebration is free; hayrides are $2; and maze tickets are $7 per person. Sept. 12–13, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. 15410 N.E. 124th St., Redmond. 425-869-9777.
Museums for free. We do love the freebies around here, and this one’s worthwhile: On Sept. 26, more than 30 museums in Washington (and hundreds across the United States) open their doors to the public for free as part of Smithsonian magazine’s fifth annual Museum Day. Locations include the Bellevue Arts Museum and Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art in Bellevue; the Renton History Museum; and the Burke Museum, EMP | SFM, Henry Art Gallery, Museum of History & Industry, Museum of Flight, Seattle Art Museum, Nordic Heritage Museum and Wing Luke Museum in Seattle. Visit Smithsonian to download your pass. One pass is good for two people; one pass per household.
—Kris Collingridge
